Preparing for hurricane weather in Orlando

Florida may be known as the Sunshine State, however this area of America is also prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Hurricane season lasts from 1st June to 30th November, peaking in August and September.

Your holiday in Orlando is unlikely to be badly effected by a hurricane, as they have a tendency to weaken before they reach central Florida. Orlando is a fair distance from the sea, which makes it a safer place to ride out a storm.

Most storms you hear about will probably just bring a lot of rain and wind. This is mostly due to the outer bands of a tropical system, which can sometimes bring severe thunderstorms. Once you’ve made it through the severe weather, get ready for gorgeous blue skies. This is one of the only benefits of a tropical storm or hurricane, as it gathers up all other neighbouring minor storms and also sucks up the humidity.

In the worst case where it is a strong hurricane, you will feel safe in Orlando, as they are very much prepared for this weather. All theme parks and other attractions in Orlando take storms seriously and will close outdoor attractions when lightning or heavy rain are present in the area. Fortunately advanced warnings are given with hurricanes and their possible paths as soon as they are detected by the National Weather Service.

Fun fact: Did you know the structures throughout Walt Disney World were designed to withstand gale force winds? It’s no wonder that since its opening in 1971, Walt Disney World has only ever closed a few times for hurricane weather!

Top hurricane tips and information:

• Make sure you have plenty of food and bottled water. If the power goes you might not have cooking facilities but any food in a refrigerator or freezer might still be usable for a couple of days.
• Make sure all of your mobile devices are fully charged, including any battery packs you might have. It might also be a good idea to have some candles to hand.
• Management companies and their staff also reside in the area so it is unlikely that they will be able to respond as quick as normal, however if you experience damage to your villa please let them or us know as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are staying in a Debbie's Villas house we will make contact with you by email before a hurricane hits central Florida, please make sure we have your correct email address.
• Stay tuned to a local TV or radio station for all updates and advice on hurricanes. It’s best to not panic too much early on, as the paths of hurricanes can change a lot. Plan each day as it comes.
• During a hurricane we would advise you to stay in your villa for safety. A relaxing day away from the theme parks will probably do you all good. Get out some board games to enjoy with the family.
• After the storm, we’d advise to drive carefully on the wet roads and do not attempt to drive through areas of flowing water.
• Travel Insurance - Make sure you have insurance before you go, as one of the many things it does cover is the ever-predictable weather situations that can and do affect travel.
• Theme Parks hardly ever close, so when they shut this is an indication that the weather is really bad. Be aware that when they reopen, they will most likely be clearing up debris from the storm, and some attractions may not open straightaway. Safety is their top priority, so be patient with the parks during this time.

Obviously we do not want to panic customers heading to Orlando, however it is good to be aware of the weather conditions they can have and this information should help calm your fears. Just keep an eye on things and plan ahead.

For customers that have any queries or worries, you can always contact us or the management company for more information.

How do hurricanes form?

Giant, spiralling tropical storms that form over the Atlantic Ocean or eastern Pacific Ocean are called hurricanes. They only ever appear in this area of the world, as the storm is fuelled by the warm, moist air over the warm waters near the equator.

Hurricanes usually develop from the warm African winds, that churn in the ocean creating a rotating storm system. This can slowly grow into a hurricane as it travels across the water. As hurricanes are powered by the ocean, it does mean that if it hits land then it will start to slow, which is why Orlando is unlikely to be too badly affected.

Hurricanes are classified into 5 categories:

• Category 1: 74-95 mph sustained winds
• Category 2: 96-110 mph sustained winds
• Category 3: 111-129 mph sustained winds
• Category 4: 130-156 mph sustained winds
• Category 5: 157 mph or higher sustained winds

Why do storms have names?

As you may have noticed when hearing about storms and hurricanes on the news, most of them are given a name. This is so that scientists can keep a track of the storms a lot easier. It also makes people more aware of them, communicate about them more effectively, and therefore stay safer if, and when, a particular storm strikes a coast. 

Hurricane name fun facts:

• Storms are named in alphabetical order and alternate between male and female.
• Names are reused every six years in lists for the Atlantic and eastern Pacific basins.
• The more catastrophic storms may have their name removed from future lists because the storm was so deadly or costly that future use of the name would be insensitive.
• In 1953, the U.S. began using female names for hurricanes and, by 1979, male and female names were used.
• There are no Q, U, X, Y or Z names because of the lack of usable names that begin with those letters. 
• If more than 21 storms form in one season, such as in 2005, the Greek alphabet is then used to name the additional storms.